Without checking, this might be the latest in the season I’ve done my first mock Bears offseason. It’s been for good reason, too: they’ve clinched a playoff spot with two games left to go in the 2025 regular season, and they’re 1.5 games ahead in first place in the NFC North.

It’s been a fantastic breakout season for the Bears in Ben Johnson’s first year as their head coach. They’ve gotten hot in two separate stretches, as they have both four-game and five-game winning streaks to their name so far this season. At 11-4, they’ve exceeded expectations and have restored winning football back to Chicago.

In addition to the more important task at hand of seeing how the Bears will do in the playoffs in their first appearance since 2020, I’m also interested in seeing how they’ll manage this coming offseason. The last remnants of their 2023 trade with the Panthers came through with the second-round pick that became Luther Burden III in 2025, and they don’t have much cap space to speak of. That will present general manager Ryan Poles an interesting challenge for how he approaches free agency.

I hardly consider myself a cap expert, so please bear with me. That said, I pride myself on my NFL Draft preparations, and having (nearly) weekly Bears tape breakdowns on my Patreon, I’m confident I have an understanding of what the Bears’ strengths and weaknesses are this season. With a limited amount of cap space to work with, I found it a fun challenge to create my first 2026 Bears mock offseason.

This article features plenty of salary cap manipulation, which is reflective of what Chicago will have to do this offseason. The numbers probably won’t be perfect, which is why I’ve given myself some wiggle room as far as how much cap space I need to be left standing with after my free agency signings.

I don’t have the Bears making a splash trade for someone like Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby because of that lack of cap knowledge certainty, and I don’t have them signing Trey Hendrickson for that reason, either. That said, I think Chicago comes out looking solid after my 2026 mock offseason.

Existing cap space: $1.241 million

Cuts, trades & contract restructuring

Restructure C Drew Dalman to free up $5.01 millionRestructure TE Cole Kmet to free up $4.393 millionRestructure CB Jaylon Johnson to free up $6.967 millionTrade WR DJ Moore to Tennessee Titans for a 2027 conditional fourth-round pick (to become third-round pick if Moore surpasses 1,000 receiving yards in 2026) with a post-June 1 designation (frees up $24.5 million in 2026)Release LB Amen Ogbongbemiga to free up $2.25 million

Going over the Bears’ existing contracts, there are only three players that really stand out as cut candidate to free up significant cap space: D’Andre Swift, Cole Kmet, and Tremaine Edmunds. Before this season started, I figured that at least two of them (particularly Swift and Edmunds) would be cap casualties, given that their play hadn’t lived up to the expectations caused by the salaries they make.

However, I decided against releasing those players, since both Swift and Edmunds have bounced back significantly in 2025. Kmet is the only one I could restructure, though, since 2026 isn’t the last year of his current contract (it is for both Swift and Edmunds). Therefore, I restructured Kmet and kicked a little over $4 million into next year. There’s a chance the Bears could still cut or trade him, but I like how he’s embraced his new role in Ben Johnson’s offense. He’s still a valuable target with good blocking value.

My other two restructures, Drew Dalman and Jaylon Johnson, are two players I feel confident investing in beyond 2026. Dalman was recently named to the first Pro Bowl of his career, and Johnson had made consecutive Pro Bowls prior to an injury-shortened 2025.

With these three restructures, I am saving the amount of cap space mentioned in the bullet points and adding it onto each of their contracts in 2027. They’re currently on track to have over $53.6 million in cap space in 2027, so they have plenty to maneuver with at this juncture. Besides, I have a move in mind that can not only save $24.5 million in 2026 cap, but it can also bring Chicago to nearly $57 million in 2027 cap space, even when you include those three restructures.

The toughest decision here is trading DJ Moore. I thought long and hard about whether or not the Bears should keep Moore, especially considering how he’s stepped up in recent weeks in the absences of Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. That said, he’s currently the eighth-ranked wide receiver in the NFL in 2026 cap hit. Going into Week 17, he’s 38th among wide receivers in receptions and 33th at his position in receiving yards. From that perspective, he isn’t living up to his current salary.

I chose the Tennessee Titans as a landing spot for Moore for three reasons. One, their wide receivers coach is Tyke Tolbert, who was the Bears’ wide receivers coach in 2023 when Moore had a career-high 1,364 receiving yards. Two, they’ve seen encouraging growth from Cam Ward in recent weeks, but their team’s lack of success points to how limited their current talent is. In particular, none of their wide receivers have over 430 yards through 15 games.

Three, the Titans are currently projected by OverTheCap at over $105 million in cap space in 2026, which is the most in the NFL. If anyone could afford to take on the remaining $20 million in Moore’s deal that the Bears wouldn’t eat in dead cap space, it’s them. Even with his down numbers in 2025, I’d take Moore for that price over any other wide receiver at that money slated to hit free agency, save for George Pickens.

Would you rather throw that kind of money at a receiver like Deebo Samuel or Jauan Jennings this offseason, or would you rather make a low-risk trade for Moore? I’d know my answer if I were Tennessee.

In doing this move, you’re trusting that Odunze and Burden develop in 2025. That’s a bet I’m willing to take, given the physical upside both of them possess and the flashes they’ve shown this season. In particular, I think Burden is in line for a much bigger role in 2026 than what he’s had this season. Keeping Cole Kmet alongside Colston Loveland and D’Andre Swift mean the Bears would still have a pretty talented group of pass-catching weapons after trading Moore, too.

With that extra money saved, the Bears would still have plenty of cap space to extend someone like Darnell Wright, Gervon Dexter, Tremaine Edmunds, D’Andre Swift, or Tyrique Stevenson. I don’t think every single one of those players get extended, but given the fact that the first year of extensions usually have lighter cap hits, you could certainly afford one or two.

Besides, worst case scenario, the Bears have reasonable 2027 outs in the contracts of Dayo Odeyingbo, Grady Jarrett, Montez Sweat, and T.J. Edwards. That’s a combined $48.75 million in possible cap space they could create for themselves. They likely won’t cut all of those players, but they could certain exercise some of those outs to free up even more future money for themselves.

Updated cap space: $45.168 million

RT Darnell Wright: Three years, $66.5 million (starting in 2027)FS Kevin Byard: Two years, $24 million ($8 million cap hit in 2026)SS/CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson: One year, $5 millionSS Jonathan Owens: One year, $2 millionLB D’Marco Jackson: $1.4 millionLS Scott Daly: One year, $1.2 millionWR Devin Duvernay: One year, $1.2 millionDE Daniel Hardy: One year, $1.2 million (RFA)

First and foremost, I wanted to get ahead of Darnell Wright’s impending free agency in 2027 and sign him to a contract extension. They will presumably pick up his fifth-year option, but considering he’s arguably their most valuable long-term asset along the offensive line, it’s smart to extend him before he gets even more expensive.

This contract would make Wright the third-highest paid right tackle in the NFL behind Penei Sewell and Lane Johnson, which is a completely fair assessment of where he stands in the league. There’s also a certain amount of cap space that would be saved by signing him to a contract extension, though I don’t know enough about how that works to have it reflect in this mock offseason. You’re welcome!

There are a few players here the Bears could re-sign to respectable contracts, but I opted to go with Kevin Byard as my one big-money extension. He currently leads the NFL in interceptions and just earned Pro Bowl recognition again at 32 years old. He’ll be expensive, but he’ll hardly reset the market at his age. Harrison Smith got a one-year extension from the Vikings this past offseason worth a little over $10 million. Because Byard is having a better year than Smith’s 2024 and three-and-a-half years younger, he gets a two-year deal with over $1 million more money annually.

I’ve loved the addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Bears’ secondary, especially with the injuries Kyler Gordon has dealt with this season. His ability to play in the box, in the nickel, or as a safety makes him a valuable defensive chess piece. Given the divided opinion around him in the NFL and his bouncing around teams in 2025, I don’t think he gets the $9 million AAV he got from the Eagles in 2024. That said, a $5 million deal for one year seems fair. I’d keep him as a safety, since I anticipate Jaquan Brisker will be too expensive to keep.

The remaining selections are depth and special teams re-signings. Devin Duvernay has been a solid kick returner for the Bears this year, Scott Daly has been reliable as their starting long snapper, and the likes of Jonathan Owens, D’Marco Jackson, and Daniel Hardy are all valuable special teams defenders.

Updated cap space: $25.268 million

Notable Bears signed elsewhere

SS Jaquan Brisker: Three years, $34 million ($11.33 million)CB Nahshon Wright: Three years, $33.846 million ($11.282 million)LT Braxton Jones: Two years, $10.3 million ($5.15 million)

I include these signings to provide some insight into what the Bears’ 2027 compensatory pick situation could look like. If the Bears have activity in free agency, I don’t anticipate they’ll keep all of these comp picks. That said, based off of OverTheCap’s projections given this past free agency’s signings, Jaquan Brisker and Nahshon Wright would net Chicago two fifth-round picks in 2027. Braxton Jones would net them a seventh-round pick.

Ravens DE Dre’Mont Jones: One year, $7.5 millionRavens TE Charlie Kolar: One year, $2 millionJaguars WR Tim Patrick: One year, $1.5 million

After extending Byard, Gardner-Johnson, and a few other depth pieces, you really only have room for one sizable signing. I decided to use that money on the defensive line, seeing as though their four-man rush has struggled to get home throughout the course of the season.

A cap casualty for the Seahawks in 2025, Dre’Mont Jones signed with the Titans soon after and started in nine games for them before being traded to the more competitive Ravens before the trade deadline. He ranks 33rd among edge rushers with 42 pressures this year, and he’s tied for 21st at his position with 7.0 sacks this season.

Jones also has a pass-rush win rate of 11.6%, which is hardly elite, but it’s a step up over what the Bears have along their defensive line currently. For reference, Austin Booker’s percentage this year is only 7.6%, and Dayo Odeyingbo’s before his injury was 8.9%. Jones ranks not too far behind Montez Sweat, who comes in at 12.6%.

With the little bit of cap space I had left, I added some depth pieces to the offensive weaponry. Tim Patrick spent 2024 with the Lions in Ben Johnson’s offense, starting in nine games with 33 receptions, 394 yards, and three touchdowns. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal last offseason, but with his numbers down in Jacksonville, I think you can get him for cheaper.

Charlie Kolar has quietly been a key piece to the Ravens’ offense. Even with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely in their tight end room, Kolar has carved out a niche for himself as their primary blocking tight end. He’d serve in a similar role for the Bears in this scenario, and Chicago has also utilized their TE3, Durham Smythe, quite a bit this season. Kolar would be an upgrade, though: he has ample special teams experience, and he ranks ninth among tight ends as a run blocker with a 70.2 PFF grade.

Updated cap space for rookie class and rest of 90-man roster: $14.268 million

As of this writing, this is where the Bears are currently on track to pick in the 2026 NFL Draft:

No. 29No. 61No. 93No. 125No. 169No. 236No. 243

I used the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator to simulate the other picks around me for this mock, and I made the Bears’ selections myself.

Round 1: Clemson EDGE T.J. ParkerRound 2: Oregon FS/SS Dillon ThienemanRound 3: Florida State DT Darrell Jackson Jr.Round 4 (via Rams): Iowa OG Beau StephensRound 5: Missouri WR Kevin Coleman Jr.Round 7 (from Eagles via Browns): Virginia RB J’Mari TaylorRound 7: Illinois QB Luke Altmyer

Drafting an edge rusher would bring the Bears’ 53-man roster to six edge rushers, which is a lot. However, I want to keep Daniel Hardy for his special teams expertise, and I don’t want to cut Austin Booker. Given Dre’Mont Jones’ and Dayo Odeyingbo’s versatility as potential interior pass rushers, I think you can really mix and match that defensive line quite a bit.

T.J. Parker is a powerful edge rusher with a relentless motor, a deep arsenal of techniques to free up his hands to shed blocks, and a quick first step off the line of scrimmage. He slips a little bit due to average flexibility and down numbers in 2025, but his tape is still first-round quality, in my eyes.

Big Ten football fans may know Dillon Thieneman from his stellar 2023 freshman year at Purdue, in which he had six interceptions. He’s since transferred to Oregon. He is a well-built, ball-hawking safety who pursues the ball with a high motor in coverage, and that level of effort translates as a downhill tackler. He does a good job of wrapping up with proper form, and he has the fluidity needed to thrive in two-high shells.

For my money, Darrell Jackson Jr. is one of the best run-defending interior linemen in the 2026 draft. He has a massive 330-pound frame with long arms that help him keep blockers outside of his chest. His powerful anchor helps him stand his ground and plug up gaps in run support, he shows good spatial awareness against the run, and his speed is much better than you’d expect.

Coincidentally, my first three picks were all on offense, while my final four picks were all on offense. Beau Stephens is a sturdy and intelligent guard prospect who graded as the second-best zone-run blocking guard in the FBS by PFF this year. Kevin Coleman Jr. is a shifty slot receiver with great hands; the last Mizzou receiver the Bears drafted turned out well, after all! Finally, the last two picks are used on J’Mari Taylor — an undersized but shifty back with great ball-carrier vision — and Luke Altmyer, whose experience, anticipation, and decision making should make him a solid enough backup QB in the NFL.

Final projected 53-man roster

QB: Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Luke AltmyerRB: D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Roschon Johnson, J’Mari TaylorWR: Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Devin Duvernay, Kevin Coleman Jr., Jahdae Walker, Tim PatrickTE: Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, Charlie KolarOT: Ozzy Trapilo, Darnell Wright, Theo Benedet, Kiran AmegadjieOG: Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, Luke Newman, Beau StephensC: Drew DalmanDE: Montez Sweat, Dre’Mont Jones, T.J. Parker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, Daniel HardyDT: Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett, Darrell Jackson Jr., Shemar TurnerLB: Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Noah Sewell, D’Marco Jackson, Ruben Hyppolite IICB: Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Josh Blackwell, Terell Smith, Zah FrazierS: Kevin Byard, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Dillon Thieneman, Jonathan OwensST: Cairo Santos, Tory Taylor, Scott Daly